We recently became aware of a FasTrak tolling system issue wherein a small number of customers in two-axle vehicles were overcharged at the multi-axle toll rate. Read more at FasTrak Tolling Issue Update.
At the Golden Gate Bridge, all tolls are assessed electronically - in the southbound direction, heading into San Francisco - with no stopping at the toll plaza.
There are four easy ways to pay a Golden Gate Bridge toll - a FasTrak Account, License Plate Account, One-Time Payment, and Toll Invoice. Tolls may be paid using credit card, cash, check or money order, and can be paid online, by phone, or in person. Learn more about which option is best for you.
With a FasTrak Account, a vehicle-mounted toll tag is read by antennae. If no toll tag is present, cameras are positioned in each toll lane to record images of your front and rear license plates as your vehicle passes through the toll plaza. The toll can be assessed electronically to your License Plate Account or to a One-Time Payment transaction. If neither has been set up, a Toll Invoice will be issued and sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.
FasTrak
FasTrak is a convenient option for paying tolls on all of the Bay Area’s eight toll bridges and Express Lanes (I-680 and SR 237), as well as the toll roads in southern California. To learn more about Bay Area FasTrak, visit the Bay Area FasTrak website.
Your tolls are automatically deducted from a prepaid account that can be opened using a credit card or cash. At the Golden Gate Bridge, FasTrak offers a discounted toll rate and is required for carpools. To learn more about carpools, visit our Carpools & DMV Decals page.
When your vehicle goes through the toll plaza, your FasTrak toll tag, when properly mounted on your vehicle, will be read by antennae and the toll tag will beep. Your account is then charged the appropriate toll. If, for some technical reason, your toll tag does not beep, cameras will capture images of your vehicle license plates. If this license plate is associated with your FasTrak Account, your account will then be charged the appropriate toll.
To activate a FasTrak Account, a prepaid toll balance and a $20 refundable toll tag deposit are required. When using a credit card, the initial prepaid minimum toll balance is $25; when using cash, check or money order, the initial prepaid minimum toll balance is $50. Once your account is open and activated, you can monitor it online at www.bayareafastrak.org.
Open a FasTrak Account
Purchase a FasTrak toll tag for $25 ($20 refundable deposit and $5 in prepaid tolls) at a participating Costco or Walgreens store, or find another retail location near you at www.bayareafastrak.org. Once you have a toll tag, you may open a FasTrak Account and pay the initial prepaid balance several ways:
- Online using a credit card: Complete an application online at www.bayareafastrak.org.
- By phone using a credit card: Call toll free 1-877-229-8655 or 415-486-8655 outside the USA.
- In Person using credit card, cash, check, money order: Visit the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center (375 Beale Street, San Francisco).
- Online: Download an application form from www.bayareafastrak.org. Mail completed form to the address provided on the form or drop off in person if paying with cash to the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center (address noted above).
If You Want to Remain Anonymous
If you prefer to remain anonymous, that is an option offered when using FasTrak. To learn more, visit our I Want to Remain Anonymous page.
Replenish Your FasTrak Account
When it is time to replenish your FasTrak Account, the driver feedback display located in each toll lane reads “Low Bal” or "Account Low."
To replenish your account, you have several options:
- Replenish using a credit card: When your prepaid toll balance falls below $15 or your personalized minimum threshold, your credit card is charged to replenish your prepaid balance. You may also replenish using a credit card over by phone by calling toll-free 1-877-229-8655 or 415-486-8655 outside the USA.
- Replenish using cash, check, or money order: When your prepaid toll balance falls below $30 or your personalized minimum threshold, you may replenish your account as follows:
- In person using cash only: Visit a Cash Payment Location;
- In person using cash, check, or money order: Visit the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center (375 Beale Street, San Francisco);
- By mail using check or money order: Send to Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 26926, San Francisco, CA 94126. Be sure to include your account number. Do not send cash.
License Plate Account
License Plate Accounts are best suited for drivers who choose to “pay as they go” on the Golden Gate Bridge. Up to five different license plate numbers may be added per account.
A License Plate Account can be opened with a credit card or with cash, check, or money order. If you open your account with a credit card, the Golden Gate Bridge toll is charged to your credit card each time your vehicle crosses the Bridge. There is no prepaid toll balance required and there are no extra fees. If you open your account using cash, check, or money order, a prepaid toll balance, equivalent to a single toll, is required, and the toll is deducted from the account each time your vehicle crosses the Bridge. There are no extra fees with this option.
Open a License Plate Account
One-Time Payment
A One-Time Payment is exactly that - you pay your toll, one payment at a time. One-Time Payments are suggested for drivers who infrequently cross the Golden Gate Bridge; for visitors who travel in their own vehicles from out of the Bay Area area, from out-of-state, and from out of the country; and for customers who want to pay using cash.
One-Time Payments can be made up to 30 days before or within 48 hours after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and can be made using a credit card, cash, check, or money order. There are no extra fees when you make a One-Time Payment.
- Online using a credit card: Visit www.bayareafastrak.org.
- By phone using a credit card: Call toll-free 1-877-229-8655 or 415-486-8655 outside the USA.
- In person using cash: Visit a Cash Payment Location.
- In person using cash, check, money order, or credit card: Visit the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center (375 Beale Street, San Francisco).
Toll Invoice
If you do not take action to open a FasTrak Account, open a License Plate Account, or make a One-Time Payment, a Toll Invoice is generated and mailed to the registered own of the vehicle. The amount due will be for the toll amount only; there are no added fees or penalties.
For California vehicles, the first Toll Invoice is sent approximately one week after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge; for out-of-state vehicles, it may take longer. Thereafter, invoices are mailed on a 30-day cycle if you cross the Bridge again in the same vehicle and you don't pay your toll using FasTrak, a License Plate Account, or a One-Time Payment.
Ways to Pay a Toll Invoice
- By mail using a credit card, check, or money order: Send to Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 26926, San Francisco, CA 94126. Please note that a returned check fee is $25.00.
- By phone using a credit card: Call toll-free 1-877-229-8655 or 415-486-8655 outside the USA.
- In person using cash: Visit a Cash Payment Location.
- In person using a credit card, cash, check, or money order: Visit the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center (375 Beale Street, San Francisco).
An unpaid Toll Invoice or any unpaid portion of a Toll Invoice will escalate directly to a Toll Violation with a $25 penalty assessed for each toll transaction associated with the unpaid Toll Invoice. If the first Toll Violation notice goes unpaid, a second Toll Violation notice is issued, with increased penalties. If this second notice goes unpaid, the amount due is referred to California Department of Motor Vehicles which can withhold your vehicle registration until the penalties are paid. For out-of-state vehicles, the matter is referred to a collections agency.